Arjun Erigaisi Defeats Carlsen, Advances to Freestyle Chess Knockouts

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi delivered a standout performance at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Finals in South Africa, defeating Magnus Carlsen during the round-robin stage. The result secured him third place on the leaderboard and a quarterfinal matchup against German prodigy Vincent Keymer.

Strong Finishes in the Group Stage

Erigaisi completed seven rounds with 4.5 points, trailing Javokhir Sindarov, who topped the standings with 5.5 points, and Levon Aronian with 5 points. The top three finishers earned the privilege of choosing their knockout opponents, shaping the path ahead in the tournament’s decisive phase.

Knockout Bracket Confirmed

Sindarov opted to face Parham Maghsoodloo, Aronian selected Hans Niemann, and Erigaisi chose to challenge Keymer. Carlsen, who finished outside the top three, will take on Fabiano Caruana. The finals serve as the fifth and culminating event of the year-long Freestyle Chess tour.

Carlsen Still Leads the Overall Tour

Despite his loss to Erigaisi, Carlsen remains the overall tour leader. He needs only a fourth-place finish in the finals to secure the annual tour victory and claim the USD 100,000 bonus. His advancement into the knockout stage keeps his broader campaign firmly on track.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Arjun Erigaisi defeated Magnus Carlsen in the round-robin stage.
• Erigaisi finished third with 4.5 points from seven rounds.
• Sindarov (5.5) and Aronian (5) topped the standings.
• Erigaisi will play Vincent Keymer in the quarterfinals.

High Stakes in the Quest for the 2025 Title

The tournament will determine the 2025 Freestyle Chess Champion, with the knockout stage now set to deliver intense matchups. For Erigaisi, the win over Carlsen boosts momentum as he pushes for a deep run, while the broader field prepares for a tightly contested finish at one of the most innovative formats in world chess.